Arsene saupiquet



oooooooo No. 321,056. Patented June so, 1885.

UNITED STATES ATENT FFICEO ARSENE SAUPIQUET, or NANTES, FRANCE.

Box.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 321,056, dated June 30, 1885.

Application filed April 25, 1884. (No model.) Patented in France May 10, 1882, No. 148, 92.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARsENE SAUPI UET, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Nantes, France,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Manufacture of Boxes, of which the following is as'pecification. The improved boxes are made of tinned sheet-iron or other suitable thin metal of convenient sizes adapted for preserving sardines and other fish, as also meats, vegetables, and

- other materials used for food and for other purposes. 7

I have devised improvements in the construction, allowing great facility for opening the boxes by means of a key. The main body of the box is made in one piece of sheet metal extending continuously around like a band, having an overlapping end which is narrow and adapted to be easily engaged in a slot in the key, and having the material weakened in longitudinal lines, so as to tear readily. Two corresponding sides are fitted and secured by soldering. When it is desired to open the box, the end of the band is engaged in a slot in the key and the key is then forcibly and continuously turned upon its own axis, rolling the metal of the band around upon itself and tearing theband away from the sides, so as to effectually and conveniently open the box.

I provide special means for conveniently charging the sardines or other contents into the box properly arranged to be rightly presented when a sufficient part of the band is rolled up, and thus the box is opened on a different side from that through which the contents are introduced. 4

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the box partly opened. Fig. 2is acorresponding view showing the box at an earlier stage ready to be filled with sardines. Fig. 3 is a crosssection showing the form of the sides and their relations to the main body or band. Fig. 4 isa perspective view of a scoop employed in plac ing the sardines or other material properly within the box. Fig.5 is an edge View and face view showing the device I employ to hold the sardines in place while the scoop is withdrawn.

Fig. 6 represents the slotted key which serves for the opening of the box.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where they occur.

A B is a long piece of tinned sheet-iron or other suitable metal of dimensions corresponding to that of the box required, the. part A having parallel sides and constituting aband extending around and forming the main body of the box. This part Ahas longitudinal lines Ct a,at which points the material is thinner or weaker, and allows a properly-applied force to tear the material along said lines. The part B is a tapering extension or flap, which, when the box is finished, is soldered upon one end, with its extreme end lying close but ready to be easily bent outward to be received in the slot of the key.

G G are two corresponding sides stamped or otherwise produced in the form represented, and having each a flange, G, extending around the edge. These parts are produced by stamping or otherwise by suitable machinery in quantities exactly alike, and can be secured rapidly by soldering.

The sardines to be preserved in the box are introduced after one of the sides G has been soldered in place and before the other side is introduced. Fig. 2 represents the box in this condition.

E is a scoop adapted to be introduced in the open side of the box and to exactly fit therein. It allows the sardines or other contents to be conveniently placed.

F is a device whichI term a clearer, the function of which is to hold the material in the box during the withdrawal of the scoop E. I first introduce the clearer F into the scoop E, placing it vertically adjacent to the front side. Then the sardines or other material being properly piled in the scoop, forming a rectangular mass of the proper quantity, the scoop is thrust into the open side of the box, and the clearer F,being held by its bent edge and the scoop withdrawn, the clearer may then be removed. During or after this operation the box is turned with the open side uppermost, and it only remains to introduce the oil and to solder the last side of the box.

In what I esteem the most complete method of carrying out the invention Imake the metal A weaker along two parallel lines near the edges which are soldered. This may be done by rolling, scraping, or grinding, orby stamping or any other convenient means. The lines a a should retain strength sufficient to withstand any of the ordinary uses to which such packages are subjected, and yet be sufliciently weaker than the other portions to tear along the lines, and thus expedite and facilitate the opening of the can.

The lines of weakening are indicated by a a. The flanges G may be of any width, and the solder applied so as to make the joint with any degree of strength desired. Care should be taken in extending the solder along the edge of the tapering flap B, so as to make it easy to tear up that portion by breaking the soldered joint. The extreme end of the flap B should be left unsoldered.

I do not confine the invention to any special size or proportions, nor to any special material from which to form the box, nor to any special material to be inclosed therein. The

sides G are preferably stifl'ened by being 25 stamped with a slightly-sunk panel, as shown.

I claim as my invention- 1. A packing can or box, substantially as described, having the material of which it is constructed weakened in lines, as a a, to facilio tate the opening of the box, as set forth.

2. A packing can or box having its band portion or body A provided with longitudinal weakened lines a a, as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The can described, having its body A provided with weakened lines a a, and with a tapering loose flap, B, the whole adapted to serve with a key, D, as set forth. 7

In testimony whereof I have signed this 40 specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ARSENE SAUPIQUET.

Witnesses GUs'rAv SOUM, Oars LAAG. 

